News

Waters breaks ground on new mass spectrometry HQ in Wilmslow, UK

20 June 2012

Waters® Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Mass Spectrometry Headquarters planned for completion in 2014.

The Right Honourable George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, joined Waters for the event and put the ceremonial spade in the ground. A Copper Beech tree was planted onsite to mark the occasion.

George Osborne said:

"It is a great honour to be part of this special day. Water Corporation's decision to make this major investment in Wilmslow is a vote of confidence in the Cheshire economy and the British economy."

Brian Smith, Vice President of MS Business Operations at Waters Corporation said:

"I am very excited that we now have the ability to move our high technology business forward and provide a world class centre for innovation in mass spectrometry. The new Waters MS Headquarters will be designed to accelerate the rate of innovation with increased access for the world's scientific thought-leaders. Science is such a major contributor to the history of Manchester and we are honoured to be writing a new chapter in its rich heritage with our custom built headquarters in Wilmslow."

"We remain committed to the sustainability of the project and protecting the local flora and fauna. The building itself will be constructed to the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methods) 'very good' standard. We have also recently completed a purpose built home for the local bat population and will refurbish the sunken garden from the original lodge."

Situated on the 37-acre Stamford Lodge site on the A538 Wilmslow/Altrincham road, three miles south of Manchester Airport, the new facility is intended to unite Waters' existing mass spectrometry operations, consisting of more than 500 employees, currently located on four separate sites in South Manchester and Altrincham. Plans for the new facility include state-of-the-art customer demonstration laboratories, research and development capabilities, and an expanded manufacturing capacity.

VINCI Construction UK has been selected as the principal contractor for the development. The works entail the design and construction of the new two storey headquarters including, external services, roads, car parks and landscaping.

Mark Thomas, Regional Director, VINCI Construction UK, said:

"We are delighted to be Waters contractor of choice on the project; it will be a flagship project for our operations in the North West this year. We hope that our involvement will assist the Waters Corporation in achieving and exceeding their business expectations."

In addition to our customer commitment, Waters is honored to continue Manchester's long legacy of mass spectrometry innovation. Starting with John Dalton's Atomic Theory in the early 1800's, Manchester continues to be a global centre for mass spectrometry technology.

Mass Spectrometry is used to identify and quantify chemical components in complex mixtures. It is a very sensitive analytical technique, enabling scientists to confidently measure components or contaminants present at levels well below a millionth of a gram. It is routinely used to safe-guard our food and water supply, protect the environment, provide medical diagnosis and to develop health-care solutions.

Waters' mass spectrometry technologies have advanced significantly over the past few years, especially with the introduction of a new range of more advanced instruments, such as the SYNAPT® and Xevo® ranges of mass spectrometers.

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